City worker who hit pedestrian was part of neighborhood cleanup project

Monday

Apr 8, 2013 at 8:00 AMApr 8, 2013 at 3:04 PM

By Linda Bock , TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER - Police and city officials are investigating a pedestrian accident that occurred during the city manager's "Clean Team" cleanup in the Bell Hill area Saturday morning.

A 56-year-old woman was struck by a city-owned Department of Public Works truck driven by a 65-year-old on-duty DPW worker.

The woman was walking in a crosswalk at Kendall and Channing streets when she was struck by the DPW truck about 9 Saturday morning, according to police. The neighborhood cleanup started at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

"Obviously our concerns are for the woman," said Matthew J. Labovites, assistant commissioner for operations at the DPW. He said DPW officials are waiting for the police to complete their investigation and report. Meanwhile, Mr. Labovites said a departmental review of the accident also is underway. He said the DPW worker, who was participating in the cleanup was on-duty for his regular Tuesday through Saturday shift..

The pickup truck was on Channing Street, approaching Kendall Street, when it struck the woman, who was in a marked crosswalk, police said. The impact caused the woman to strike the back of her head on the pavement..

The victim was conscious and alert when authorities arrived. She had a substantial cut to the back of her head, police said. She was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center - University Campus. She was listed in stable condition this morning, according to police.

The city-owned DPW vehicle is a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado, according to police. Investigators interviewed witnesses. The pickup truck was towed to police headquarters for a full mechanical inspection.

The investigation is ongoing. No citations have been issued, according to police..